Guidance for information governance (IG) professionals

The Records Management Code of Practice is an important document for records managers working in the NHS and adult social care and should be used as a basis for your own organisation’s records management policy. It covers:

• scope: what is a record and what records are covered
• records management obligations including legal, professional and management obligations
• organising and storing records including periods for retention

Your organisation should have a designated member of staff of appropriate seniority (for example care home manager or practice manager) who leads on records management.

This role should be formally acknowledged and communicated throughout the organisation. Sometimes this role is part of the information governance team. If you have any record management responsibilities it is important that you read the Records Management Code of Practice and apply the guidance in your organisation.

Each organisation must have an overall policy statement on how it manages all of its records. This statement must be endorsed by the operational management team, board (or equivalent), and made available to all staff at induction and through regular updates and training.

It is also important to note that there are currently a number of ongoing inquiries including the UK Covid 19 Inquiry and the Infected Blood Public Inquiry. This means that records must not be destroyed until guidance is issued by the relevant inquiry. Future inquiries may lead to specific records management requirements. If that happens we will publish additional guidance on our website.